Christmas was a wonderful holiday for me. Since my youngest grandson and his family live in Natalia, my daughter and her husband came to pick me up and take me to Devine. They arrived, we switched cars and my daughter drove us to that area while her husband continued in their car. It was a pleasant drive, the weather was good, and the traffic wasn’t as bad as I expected. We visited with their son and family, gave their children the gifts I was bringing and then I went on to my daughter’s home. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve, with my oldest granddaughter taking me to evening Mass in Devine. It was a beautiful ceremony and I even saw a few people that I hadn’t seen in a while. My daughter was having her family in for Christmas Day, and she and her daughter had decided to have finger foods rather than a sit-down meal, it worked beautifully, and as usual, there was plenty of food, plenty of dessert and everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest. The fun part of the evening was watching the little ones open their gifts. The one great-grandchild had already had gift opening with her family and was totally surprised that she was getting gifts! Her face was priceless as you could see she really wanted a gift to open when the others were opening things, especially the ones her own age. She was very patient while she waited! It was a beautiful day and an occasion to remember for me. On Thursday, I went to my son’s home, and he, my daughter-in-law and I had a very quiet time to ourselves visiting. The only problem was that since I drove in fog that morning, I used my lights. My Corolla is the only year that was made with headlights that don’t turn off and on automatically, and, yes, I forgot to turn them off and my battery was ‘dead’ when I was ready to leave. He and his wife got it started for me and by the time I drove the 15 miles to my daughter’s, it was fully charged, and we had no problem with it the rest of my trip. Later on Thursday, we went to Castroville; to give me a chance to visit a bit with my grandson and his family and my daughter had a couple of things to do also. Friday was bright and clear and mid-morning I went back to Natalia to meet with her to come back home. A totally beautiful and wonderful Christmas visit and trip back home. Now, I’ve been on the computer for over three hours and finally have something to show for it. It completely jammed on me twice, but this second time, it at least allowed me to paste my work. Happy New Year everyone.
Author: admin
Hanson retires after 20 years of service
For the week ending Dec.29, 2024 … Lytle P.D. officers managed 43 calls for service and conducted 59 traffic stops. Of those 59 stops, 32 were citations and 27 were warnings.
Officers made 6 arrests last week. #1 – Officers responded to a two-vehicle accident at the Taco Bell, the investigation resulted in the arrest of a 54-year-old male for D.W.I. He was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. #2 – A 27-year-old male turned himself in at the police department. Capt. Dear had obtained 3 warrants for his arrest, each one for Sexual Assault of a Child. He was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail with bonds totaling $225,000. Capt. Dear and Sgt. D. Lopez worked tirelessly on this case. Our suspect, who was not from the immediate area, met our victim online. Due to the extremely sensitive nature of this case, we can only release limited information. Rest assured that we will use all our resources to keep our children safe. # 3 – A traffic stop on Main St. resulted in the arrest of a 32-year-old male, he had an active warrant out of Medina Co. for Possession of Marijuana. He was booked into the Medina Co. Jail. #4 & #5 – A traffic stop on Main St. resulted in the citation and release of an 18-year-old male and an 18-year-old female for possession of drug paraphernalia. #6 – A traffic stop on Main St. resulted in the officers determining that a domestic assault had just occurred on FM 2790. N. A 24-year-old female was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail on a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury (Family).
We only had two property crimes reported last week! #1- A resident in the 14800 Blk. of Star Cross Trail reported that his 2023, 16-foot, flat-bed trailer was taken from his residence on Christmas Eve. I originally hoped that Santa had an emergency and needed to borrow it for his big night, but I was wrong. Cameras showed a pick-up hook up to it, not a sleigh pulled by Reindeer. Capt. Dear went to work on the case and on Friday he was able to use information from a hidden GPS device to track the trailer to a residence in San Antonio and recover it. #2 – A resident on Live Oak St. reported that someone attempted to kick in the front door of his house. There was damage to the frame. Luckily, he had a deadbolt, and it was an older, well-built home. The unknown suspects were not able to gain entry.
Where did that come from?
Over the course of my Lifetime, the above question has been posed TO and ABOUT me in a wide variety of ways and settings. Sometimes it is during a “Brainstorming Session” while considering possible ideas and solutions to a question or problem. A setting where nothing is Too Crazy, or Ridiculous to pose.
These days it often comes from The Boss Lady, as she peers incredulously at me for some “Lame Brain” statement I have uttered. On more than a few times I have been asked about the thoughts conveyed in one of my writings. And to be transparent, I have asked myself the question ABOUT myself any number of times.
I am routinely tempted to respond that it may be “insight, inspiration, or indigestion” that sparked the thought. In truth, I am not sure a correct answer exists, at least in my own case.
It can be a word, song, movie, observation, or sometimes a random thought that “drops in and sort of runs away” with my thinking. Long ago I learned NOT to try and ignore the “input”. Sometimes it goes away on its own. Other times it needs to “marinate around” in that foggy place AKA, my brain for a spell. And a few times it demands a response right here and now.
After a little while of thinking about the concept, it really is NOT TOO strange. After all, it is a question with just a small bit of alternation, that pops up a variety of settings. Like at a social gathering, such as Work, Church or maybe a Bar, when an unknown, but strikingly attractive person surprisingly shows up. And here is an additional “safer example” like a deer blind, when a new animal appears. I cannot be the only one who has thought if not said out loud, where did that coyote/bobcat/new buck come from?
It seems to me that I may be thinking too hard on this potentially unsolvable question. Maybe there is no answer. But wait…I wonder where that idea came from?
Elvira De La Cruz
May 8, 1930 — December 23, 2024
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Elvira De la Cruz, a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, who departed this world peacefully at the age of 94. Born on May 8, 1930, in Lytle, she lived a life characterized by love, compassion, and resilience.
Elvira embraced her role as a homemaker with unwavering dedication. Elvira found joy in the simple pleasures of life, especially in her involvement with the Guadalupanas, where she cultivated a deep sense of community. Above all, she cherished her family, loving every moment spent caring for her grandchildren and providing support to her loved ones.
Elvira leaves behind her cherished Children, Ida Mlcak, Denise Riojas, and Johnny De La Cruz. She is also survived by her sister Maria Guzman. Elvira also leaves behind her grandchildren, Carlos, Amanda, Nicole, Theresa, Sarah, Matthew, as well as 6 Great Grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Vicente De La Cruz.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Elvira’s life and the love she shared. A family viewing will take place at Primrose Funeral Services in Lytle on January 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM with a rosary reciting at 7 P.M. Visitation will end at 8 P.M. A Mass honoring her life will be held at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Lytle on January 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with burial to follow at Lytle Community Cemetery.
In our sorrow, we find solace in the memories of her laughter, the warmth of her embrace, and the lessons she imparted throughout her life. Elvira will forever remain in our hearts, her spirit lighting the way for all who were fortunate to know her.
Armando “Mando” Sanchez
August 10, 1948 – December 22, 2024
Armando “Mando” Sanchez, 76, of Natalia, Texas, passed away on December 22, 2024, after a short illness.
Born on August 10, 1948, in San Antonio, Texas, Mando was the third of five children born to Edward and Daria Sanchez. Growing up, Mando was known for his mischievous spirit, sense of humor, and love of nature. Even as a child, Mando was loving and protective, always looking out for his younger siblings and cousins, creating bonds that lasted a lifetime.
After graduating from high school, Mando joined the United States Navy. He served with honor during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968, stationed aboard the USS Hector and USS Mark. He left the Navy in 1971 as a Petty Officer 2nd Class with an honorable discharge, reflecting his commitment and service.
Mando had a passion for reading and storytelling. He found great enjoyment in the works of Larry McMurtry, James Michener, and Cormac McCarthy and still read the newspaper in its entirety every day. He had a lifelong love of fishing, whether casting a line in freshwater lakes or along the saltwater shores he loved so much. His favorite place to be was the beach, especially Charlie’s Pasture in Port Aransas, where he found peace and connection to nature.
Where in the Biblewill I find…?
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Well looks like another year has come and gone. As we enter into a New Year I’m praying that you start the year off right surrounded by love and family. I also pray for our nation that each individual and family will grow closer to God and search the scriptures daily. I hope you remember to get into your Bible every day for it tells us to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2nd Timothy 2:15).” And “pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17).” Our question for the week is; “Where in the Bible will I find sundown at noon and darkness in the clear of day?
There are many things that God did during the Patriarchal times to show His people that he really was God. many attempts have been made over the years to explain these miracles away by exaggeration, or natural phenomenon. The truth is God miraculously did things to convince people! In the passage of question for this article God tells the prophet Amos that He’s going to bring destruction upon his people for their sinful behavior. Amos 8:9 “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:” Think about it! J.W.
The Christmas Truce
“All through the long night those big guns flashed and growled just like the lightning and thunder when it storms in the mountains at home. And, oh my, we had to pass the wounded. And some of them were on stretchers going back to the dressing stations. And some of them were lying around, moaning and twitching. And the dead were all along the road. And it was wet and cold. And it all made me think of the Bible and the story of the Antichrist and Armageddon.”Sergeant Alvin C. York –
Company G, 328th Infantry, 82nd Division, U.S. Army, on fighting in the Argonne Forest, France, in WW I.
War is hell. Ask anyone who has survived it. They will tell you this, if they can speak about it at all. The Great War, now we call it World War I, was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Between July of 1914 and November of 1918 more than 16 million lives were lost.
This was our first “modern” war, where we used machine guns, mechanized tanks, improved artillery, even airplanes and poison gas. Much of the fighting involved trench warfare, with troops dug in and living in muddy, disease-ridden ditches carved from the ground. Between opposing trenches was a ”No Man’s Land” – littered with barbed wire, dead soldiers, and the refuse of war. In the midst of this hell on Earth, one cold December night, something astonishing happened. This is the stuff of legend.
On Christmas Eve, 1914, in the area of Flanders, Belgium, along the Western Front, an unlikely miracle took place. Hunkered down in their trenches, British and French troops faced German soldiers on the other side. All was quiet, until one soldier started to sing.
This week’s E-edition is live!
Merry Christmas!
Good morning! Merry Christmas, I just looked at a calendar and realized that this will be my last column for the year 2024. The year has gone by so quickly and so many things have happened, good as well as bad. We’ve lost friends and family, and added to our families as well. By the time many of you get this edition of the paper, almost everything except the memories will be over for most families.
The week before Christmas was chaotic to say the least, however, I got almost everything done that I hoped to. My daughter and her husband came here and picket me up and we headed out to Devine. I was looking forward to having a fun time with family, extended family and friends, and I hope every one of my readers had a wonderful Christmas.
Recently when I attended a Market Days show in a nearby town, one of the vendors was selling hand-made glass spider Christmas ornaments, and a book that I had seen and read quite some time ago. The spiders were made of glass beads, and if you bought the book, you got a spider free. They were truly beautiful. The book is called “The Legend of the Christmas Spider, and it is a Eastern European folk story. One of the versions that is available on Amazon says that it is the story of the origin of the tinsel that we now sometimes use on our trees today. When my daughter came in before Thanksgiving, she put my tree up for me. We used mostly antique ornaments, and for the first time in many, years my tree has the old-timey tinsel icicles as well as four antique (very early 1900s) candle holders with candles!
John Edward Naegelin Jr
John Edward Naegelin Jr., passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024, at the age of 71. He was a hardworking man, a beloved husband, a loving father, and a faithful servant of God. His life was full of love, faith, and dedication to his family, friends, and the land he cared for.
Born on October 30, 1953, in San Antonio, Texas, John grew up on his family farm in Lytle. He developed a deep love and respect for the land and worked it with pride throughout his life.
On June 7, 1975, John married Doris Matula. Together, they raised seven children and built a home on their family ranch. John taught his kids the value of hard work, integrity, and enjoying the simple things in life.
He is survived by his children: John E. Naegelin III, Susan E. Pick (Josh), Dennis E. Naegelin (Justa), Judy E. Ortiz (Sid), Annette E. Devaney (Kevin), Marvin E. Naegelin (RoseAnn), and Kevin E. Naegelin (Briana).
His greatest joy was being “PawPaw” to his grandchildren: Taylor Adams, Khloe Naegelin, Tori Adams, Ace Naegelin, Christian Ortiz, Jaxon Adams, Sidney Ortiz, Connor Devaney, Sonny Ortiz, Brooke Devaney, Paisley Naegelin, MacLaine Naegelin, Collyns Pick, Montana Naegelin, Bradley Naegelin, LouAnna Naegelin, Noa Naegelin, and Jax Naegelin.
He is also survived by his wife, Doris, his brothers Gerald, Peter, and David Naegelin, his sister Lynda Jacob, and many friends who were touched by his kindness and wisdom.
John is preceded in death by his parents, John Edward Naegelin Sr. and Catherine Naegelin, his sister Tonia Johnson, and his brother Mark Naegelin.
John enjoyed fishing and hunting trips with his brothers, sons, and friends. Known for his generosity and steady nature, John was a well-respected figure in the Lytle community. Though his boots have rested, his spirit will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all those he helped.
Visitation will be held at Prime Rose Funeral Services in Lytle, Texas, on December 22, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the Rosary.
Funeral services will take place at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Lytle on December 23, 2024, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Devine, Texas. A reception will be held afterward at The Lazy Longhorn Ranch, 2620 FM 2200, Devine, TX 78016. The Naegelin family invites all who knew John to join them in sharing stories and remembering his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in John’s memory.
Rest in peace, John “Sonny” Naegelin. You were loved, you will be missed, and your spirit will live on in the land you worked, the family you cherished, and the lives you touched.